The upcoming Korean drama My Royal Nemesis is coming next month(May 2026) on SBS and Netflix. This romantic comedy brings a Joseon-era villain into modern-day Seoul. Here is everything you need to know about when new episodes drop.
The Drama Pairs Lim Ji Yeon With Heo Nam Jun
Lim Ji Yeon, known for her work in The Glory, plays two roles in one body. She performs as Shin Seo-ri, a struggling actress. But a legendary villainess from the Joseon dynasty takes over her body. Heo Nam Jun, who appeared in When the Phone Rings, plays Cha Se-gye. He is a cold and ambitious chaebol heir.
The show follows Dan-sim, the Joseon villain, as she wakes up in the present. She decides to use Cha Se-gye as her shield. This creates a love-hate relationship between the two characters. Jang Seung Jo and Lee Se Hee also join the main cast.
Director Han Tae Seop, who worked on Hot Stove League, leads this project. Writer Kang Hyun Joo, a rookie writer, created the story. Studio Dragon and Gill Pictures produced the series.
My Royal Nemesis Episode Schedule And Runtime
My Royal Nemesis has a total of 14 episodes. Each episode runs for about 70 minutes. The show follows a weekly release pattern. New episodes arrive on Friday and Saturday every week.
The premiere date is May 8, 2026. The show will air on SBS in South Korea at 9:50 PM KST. The same episodes will be available on Netflix for global audiences on the same day.
Episode Release Schedule:
- Episodes 1-2 โ May 8 & 9, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
- Episodes 3-4 โ May 15 & 16, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
- Episodes 5-6 โ May 22 & 23, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
- Episodes 7-8 โ May 29 & 30, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
- Episodes 9-10 โ June 5 & 6, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
- Episodes 11-12 โ June 12 & 13, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
- Episodes 13-14 โ June 19 & 20, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
The final episode will air on June 20, 2026.
Streaming Details For USA, UK, Canada, Australia, And India
Netflix holds the global streaming rights for My Royal Nemesis. Viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India can watch the show on the platform. New episodes will appear on Netflix shortly after their SBS broadcast in South Korea.
Netflix subscription plans start at $8.99 per month for the Basic plan with ads. The Standard plan without ads costs $19.99 per month. For viewers in India, Netflix offers mobile and basic plans at different price points. The show will be available for streaming in multiple languages including English subtitles.
The Story Brings A Joseon Villain To Modern Seoul
The plot of My Royal Nemesis stands out from typical K-dramas. A feared villainess from the Joseon dynasty faces death. But she wakes up inside the body of a broke actress named Shin Seo-ri. She finds herself lost in modern Seoul.
This Joseon woman has no idea how to use a smartphone or follow modern rules. She decides to use Cha Se-gye, a powerful and ruthless heir, as her shield. The two characters clash constantly. He acts based on logic and profit. She acts based on survival and Joseon-era rules.
“A Joseon-era villain doomed to die opens her eyes in modern-day Seoul โ where a ruthless chaebol heir may be her last chance to rewrite her fate.” – Netflix Official Synopsis
Director Han Tae Seop shared his thoughts on Lim Ji Yeon‘s character. He said, “Please pay attention to the moments and vocabulary where Shin Seo-ri, an 18th-century Confucian woman, delivers stinging remarks to modern people. She will create moments that provide both catharsis and emotion.”
Also Read:
Behind The Scenes With The Cast
Lim Ji Yeon spoke about her role in an interview with ELLE Korea. She explained that two personalities live inside her character. “A villain from the Joseon era and a modern woman coexist in her. Instead of separating them, I approached it as a single character in transformation,” she said.
Heo Nam Jun described his character as someone who follows logic only. He said, “He acts based on calculation, not emotion. He judges every relationship by profit and survival.” According to the actor, Shin Seo-ri changes this behavior because she approaches him without hidden motives.
The two actors also talked about working together. Lim Ji Yeon shared that they discussed many scenes as a team. She mentioned an emotional scene filmed on Jeju Island as one of the most memorable. Heo Nam Jun said he relied on his co-star during every moment of filming.
Also Read: FBI Season 8 Episode 19 Catches Vigilantes Hunting Pedophile Ring Members
Check out more K-drama release updates and streaming guides on VvipTimes for the latest Korean entertainment news.
